Mike Testwuide/Photo Credit: Asia League Ice Hockey

ANYANG, Republic of Korea – You might consider trading the slopes of Vail, Colorado for the suburbs of Seoul, Korea to be an odd proposition, but not for professional hockey player Mike Testwuide. The 26-year-old winger is in his first season playing for the Asia League’s Anyang Halla and, according to Testwuide, it’s already been a remarkable experience.

“I’m having a blast,” Testwuide said with a smile. “The decision was difficult and many people questioned it but I’m really happy so far.”

Fifteen games into the 2013-14 season, the 6’ 3”, 210-pound right wing has tallied 12 points (6 G, 6 A) and 26 penalty minutes and, like many of the “import” players who make the journey to play hockey in Asia, Testwuide has found the level of talent and competition much higher than expected in a region not widely recognized for the sport.

“I’ve been here for exactly two months and have been pleasantly surprised by the talent level and the level of professionalism that surrounds this entire league,” Testwuide said. “The overall speed and quickness of the players is crazy. The games move up and down the rink faster than any other hockey I have played in the past.”

Growing up in Vail, Testwuide began his athletic career on skis, developing his skills at the largest single mountain resort in the country. It wasn’t long before the desire to play team sports attracted him to ice hockey. Testwuide learned to skate at the Dobson Ice Arena and worked his way through the Vail Junior Hockey Association and eventually played junior hockey in Iowa with the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. During the 2005-06 season, he contributed 30 points (18 G, 12 A, +4) in 54 regular season games and played for Team East at the USHL Prospects/All-Star Game.

In January of 2006, Testwuide committed to Colorado College. During four seasons with the Tigers, Testwuide tallied 71 points (44 G, 27 A) and 102 penalty minutes in 131 games, establishing himself as a hard-working, effective power forward who plays a gritty, in-your-face style of game.

An undrafted National Hockey League prospect, Testwuide was on the radar of numerous scouts while playing at Colorado College. He was courted by the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche and the Philadelphia Flyers organizations. Testwuide’s instincts told him that Flyers would be the best fit for him and in March 2010, he signed a two-year entry-level contract.



Testwuide attacks the net/Photo Credit: Asia League Ice Hockey

In his first season with the team’s American hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, Testwuide tallied 39 points (18 G, 21 A, +12) and 62 PIM in 76 games. He was the top rookie scorer and the fourth-leading scorer on the team.

The following season, he added 29 points (12 G, 17 A, -5) and 79 PIM in 66 games played. A restricted free agent, Testwuide was re-signed by the Flyers to a one-year contract in July, 2012. In 2012-13, after 19 games, Testwuide was traded to the Calgary Flames organization and was assigned to play for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Abbottsford Heat in British Columbia. He played nine games in Abbottsford, adding three points (2 G, 1 A, -5) and 28 PIM. Unfortunately, the Heat ended their season out of playoff contention.

When the season ended in April, Testwuide thought long and hard about what he wanted to do next and ultimately made the decision for a big change.

“I decided back in June of this year that I wanted to explore options outside of North America,” Testwuide explained. “I needed a change and was looking for not only hockey, but a good life experience. As I was exploring options, Anyang Halla was in contact with an agent I was in touch with.”

The Halla organization was coming off their second consecutive post-season semi-final loss after winning back-to-back Asia League championships in 2010 and 2011. Allowed up to four “import” players, the team had two openings after losing former NHL defenseman Ric Jackman to a team in Austria and Canadian forward Mark Derlago to Denmark.

“I’ll be honest – at first I gave it no thought and was focusing on options mainly in Germany and Austria. As we talked about it more and more, the situation in Asia just became an opportunity I could not pass up.”

Testwuide signed a two-year deal with a two-year option to play for Halla. Sweetening the opportunity was the chance to make the journey with a longtime friend, Jeff Dimmen, who also inked a two-year deal. Dimmen, 27, had just completed the season as a defenseman with the Adirondack Phantoms, who were also out of playoff contention. After weighing all the pros and cons, the two made the decision to continue their careers in Asia.



Testwuide and Dimmen talk during a break in the action/Photo Credit: Asia League Ice Hockey

“We call ourselves Team Adventure” Testwuide said with a laugh. “We’ve been really close friends since playing midget hockey in Colorado at age 17. We also spend lots of time together in the summers whether it’s training, climbing mountains, relaxing on the beach, or having the occasional beer.”

“We both found ourselves in similar situations after spending a few years in the American League and we were both presented with this opportunity. The timing was right and we both felt this would be a great experience and an even better one if we went together. Even though we have great teammates and the other imports are awesome guys, it’s great having one of your best friends with you. Having someone to experience this change with is pretty cool.”

Making the trip to Korea in early August, Testwuide and Dimmen found their culture shock was countered by the adventure of it all, as well as the accommodating nature of the Korean people.

“Other than using chopsticks, sitting on the floor for meals, learning this difficult language, and dreaming of the nearest Chipotle, the transition has been such a fun experience. We have a great living situation in an up-and-coming suburb of Seoul. The food is amazing, and the little taste of nightlife I’ve had rivals anything in the U.S.”

“Most of all, the people here, including my teammates and staff, couldn’t be nicer and more helpful,” Testwuide added. “As for the fans, they too have been extremely welcoming. For a country with little hockey tradition, there is a passionate following. It seems to be a great time to be involved in hockey here as interest is growing and people are starting to recognize it as a mainstream sport.”

According to Testwuide, the Korean effort to improve the country’s standing in the hockey world, especially ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Pyeongchang (about 110 miles east of Seoul), is impressive.

“It’s very evident to me that hockey is a growing sport here in Korea and that they are making a very strong effort to promote the sport and develop their players. The addition of the Army team [Daemyung Sangmu] really shows that Korea is dedicated to assembling a team that will contend for a spot in the [Olympic] tournament.”

As for his future career plans, Testwuide has already made up his mind. “I hope to be a part of growing the sport of hockey here in Korea for a long time.”

Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com

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